His head was turned towards the corridor, he seemed to be waiting.
"Queer sort of stick, Thomson," he remarked presently.

"Is he a great friend of yours, Miss Conyers ?" She hesitated for a moment.
"I have known him for some time." Something in her tone seemed to disturb him.

He leaned towards her quickly.

His face had lost its good-humoured indifference.

He was evidently very much in earnest.
"Please don't think me impertinent," he begged, "but--is he a very great friend ?" She did not answer.